Superintendent's Weekly News Brief
For the week ending March 24th, 2023
East Senior Tech Life Skills: Building Bridges
Mr. Kutina's Life Skills Tech class students at East Senior have been working hard on their Bridge unit! The unit started with the class studying different types of bridges including truss, suspension, beam and moveable bridges.
Next, the students used Bridge Builder software to simulate different types of bridges and learn which structural elements need to be strongest for the bridge to hold the weight of a truck. Currently, the students are building their own truss bridges. Once complete, the students each have the option of putting their bridge in Mr. Kutina's structural stress analyzer to see how much it will hold before it breaks.
Some students like their bridges so much they will choose not to test them, and take them home instead. We understand your attachment to the project, students! Well done!
Northwood S.T.E.A.M. Spirit Week
Northwood Elementary was blasting into S.T.E.A.M. this week! S.T.E.A.M stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. In addition to a S.T.E.A.M. space-themed spirit week, families were invited to a family S.T.E.A.M. night on Tuesday.
At the event, families were able to participate in fun learning opportunities provided by Hawk Creek, Reinstein Woods, the SPCA, Mr. Burke (district technology integrator), the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Engineering For Kids, Challenger Learning Center, and Prehistoric World.
During the past few weeks, Northwood has also been collecting supplies for the SPCA. Students and staff collected over 16 boxes of donations! The SPCA was able to take all of the donations with them at the end of our family S.T.E.A.M. event. Thank you to the Northwood staff, who made this event possible, and our Northwood PTA!
March Into (Your Future) Literacy
As part of our district-wide "March into Literacy" month, East Middle Principal Mr. Marchioli, and East Middle Librarian Mrs. Carraba, made a special stop at Clinton and Northwood Elementary Schools.
Each 5th-grader was given a new book from their future East Middle School principal and librarian.
"We want to build as many relationships as we can with our 5th graders now, so that when they walk through our doors at East Middle next fall, it will feel like home," Mr. Marchioli said.
Additionally, fifth graders recently spent the morning at East Middle for a sneak peek at The Lion King Jr., which is on stage this weekend!
A special thank you to Principals Mrs. McCartan and Mrs. Ferri for arranging time for this event.
More March Into Literacy: West Elementary
For Beach Day, students brought in towels, sunglasses, and their own choice of a special book. Principal Dr. Kristen Frawley and staff scheduled times in the boardroom for reading "on the beach". The space was decorated with a beach theme including beach balls, floats, a palm tree, sun umbrellas, etc. They even had a digital beach with ocean sounds! Classes were invited to come into the space for 30 minutes to enjoy some relaxation and a book.
Many students went above and beyond, coming to school in beach gear. West Elementary's PTA also purchased leis for all students to remind them to "celebrate reading" wherever they are.
East Senior International Relations Club: Congo
The club worked closely with Journey's End Refugee Services (JERS) through the Home Again Program to ensure that the move went smoothly. The IRC thanks everyone who generously donated and/or participated in this event to make our newest resettled refugees feel welcomed in the City of Good Neighbors.
Kudos to East Senior's IRC for this first time resettlement project. The apartment looks beautiful!
West Senior International Relations Club: Afghanistan
This is the club's 8th such Home Again Project through Journey's End Refugee Services (JERS). Once again, this resettlement opportunity was made possible through the generosity of West Senior's students, families, faculty, and friends. We thank the students and their West Senior advisors for their global interest in the wider world, and sweetening the environment for those in need. Kudos!
West Senior's bookstore Raises funds for Torch Run
West Senior's bookstore partnered with School Resource Officer Jarczyk and the West Seneca Police Department to raise money for the West Seneca Torch Run that will take place in May. All money from the Torch Run will be donated to the Special Olympics. Some of teacher Kristen Willman's students who work in the bookstore are also on the Unified Basketball team that will be participating in the Torch Run. The bookstore will be donating a total of $1,000 for this event. Good job in upholding tradition, keepers of the flame!
Photo: Students and Officer Jarczyk
Collaboration: Next Generation Science Standards
On Friday, March 17th, our District Science Team went to Orchard Park Schools to meet with Paul Anderson, an experienced educator, educational consultant, and YouTube creator, living in Bozeman, MT, where he taught science for 20 years. Paul was the 2011 Montana Teacher of the Year, and was also one of four finalists for the 2011 National Teacher of the Year.
Our team’s purpose was to explore new and innovative ways to implement the Next Generation Science Standards for our students in West Seneca.
Anyone engaged in the field will tell you it’s an exciting time for K-12 Science Education, as we continue to prepare our students for all the changes that will take place in the next several years as follows:
Spring 2024: NYS Science 5 & 8 Science Assessments and Investigations
Spring 2025: NYS Earth & Space Science, Biology
Spring 2026: NYS Chemistry, Physics
(Left to Right: Chris Hart, ESR Science Department Chair; Paul Anderson, World Renowned Science Educator; Rae Ann Zimmerman, EMS Science Department Chair; Jeff Gramza, WMS Science Department Chair; Greg Jubulis, WSR Department Chair; and Franco DiPasqua, District K-12 Science Facilitator)
Annual District Art Show: March 17th - April 20th
The Art Department has installed the annual District Art Show in the Martha Burchfield Richter Atrium at the West Seneca Community Center. Last week, the West Seneca Art Teachers hung over 200 pieces of art in one day! These works by K-12 students are a mere sampling of the great artwork created by our students every day--prepared, framed, and hung by the art teachers.
This fantastic display of select student work will be on view from March 17th - April 20th. At the closing of the show, student awards will be presented for Best of Show in the following categories: Primary K-2nd, Intermediate 3rd-5th, Middle School, High School and Digital Art. A recognition event for these students will take place at a later date this spring.
We hope you can stop by for a visit and appreciate your support of the arts in West Seneca. A special thank you to the Town of West Seneca, Mr. Gary Dickson, Ms. Amelia Greenan, Mrs. Louise Schoene, and the many families and community members who continue to support the Visual Arts programming in West Seneca Schools.
Congratulations to all of the student artists who were selected this year!
Lion King Jr. This Weekend at East Middle
District Curriculum Showcase
Enjoy your weekend!
Superintendent